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Justin Bieber Leads Celebs Reacting To Brittney Griner’s 9-Year Russian Prison Sentence
President Biden promises to work tirelessly to bring her and Paul Whelan home.
In February, Brittney Garner was arrested at the airport in Moscow and was incarcerated ever since, despite failed attempts from the White House to negotiate her release. The 31-Year-Old on Thursday sat in the defendant’s cage inside the courtroom, and before her sentence was handed down, she begged for leniency and urged the court to consider her good character.
A Judge accepted her plea, but Garner was eventually sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison for bringing a marijuana pen into the country.
Following the verdict, Hollywood stars expressed their displeasure in various social media posts. “THIS HURTS. If anyone knows of any way I can help, please let me know,” 28-Year-Old Justin Bieber voiced via his Instagram Stories. Mia Farrow followed suit, calling the verdict heartbreaking. The 77-Year-Old tweeted: “The Russian judge ignored everything Britney Griner had stated.
Farrow added: “He sentenced her to 9 years in a penal colony. For carrying 2 vaping cartridges – medically prescribed. Dam Heartbreaking.”
Accordingly, Andy Cohen tweeted in all capital letters, “BRING BRITTNEY HOME,” alongside an American flag and prayers hands emojis. At the hearing, Brittney had claimed she didn’t want to be considered a political pawn and that bringing the cannabis pen into the country was a simple, honest mistake. She apologized to her teammates, club, and the city for her mistake and the embarrassment she had brought to them.
Author Greg Olear also tweeted: “Brittney Griner is a hostage. This is kidnapping, sanctioned by Putin’s government.”
Jada Pinkett Smith showed her support for Brittney as she referenced the latest developments in the Breonna Taylor case. She wrote: “On the same day where we finally got some justice for Breonna. I find out that Brittney Griner just got 9 years in Russia.” Jada added a ‘Free Brittney’ hashtag and broken heart emojis. Viola Davis was equally left shocked over the verdict.
Davis wrote on Instagram: “No words. The scales of justice just broke down. In 9 years she will not even be able to go back to basketball. For a VAPE (broken heart emoji). #FreeBrittneyGriner.”
President Biden has also released a statement following the sentencing. In it, he said: “Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney. It’s unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates.” He added he would continue to work tirelessly to pursue every possible avenue to bring her and Paul, Whelan-another American imprisoned in Russia, home.
However, not everyone shared the same views, with comedian Tim Young writing: “Brittney Griner is not a political prison. She carried drugs that were illegal with her in Russia and was arrested – there’s nothing political about that.”
